Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and an earlier effective date, as the maximum schedular rating of 100 percent for PTSD with persistent depressive disorder and traumatic brain injury has been in effect since April 19, 2019.

The Board granted increased disability ratings for the Veteran's service-connected degenerative lumbar spine arthritis with IVDS and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as earlier effective dates for TDIU and DEA.

The Board denied increased ratings for lumbar strain with disc degeneration, left knee sprain, and hiatal hernia but granted a 20 percent rating for left ankle strain.

The Board granted service connection for multiple degenerative joint diseases of the right and left wrist, knee, shoulder, elbow, and hip, including as secondary to a lumbar spine disability.

The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain and allergic rhinitis, assigned a 10 percent rating for allergic rhinitis, and denied service connection for the other conditions.

The Veteran's tinea versicolor and pseudofolliculitis were granted a 10 percent rating, while service connection was denied for herpes, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and multiple foot and knee conditions.

The Board granted the restoration of a 40 percent rating for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, effective March 12, 2020.

The Board granted service connection for a low back disability, to include lumbosacral strain, finding that the Veteran's current condition is likely related to his in-service activities.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent, but no higher, on and after November 19, 2023.

The veteran withdrew the appeals for service connection and other related claims, resulting in their dismissal.

The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied the claim for entitlement to service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or event related to the Veteran's back condition.

The Board denied service connection for a chronic gastrointestinal disability, to include irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and remanded claims for bilateral plantar fasciitis, temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ), cervical spine, lumbar spine, left knee, and left ankle disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for erectile dysfunction, granted a 10 percent rating for the painful right knee scar, and denied increased ratings for adjustment disorder with depressed mood and other conditions.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for hypertension, lumbar spine disorder, right foot disorder, and left foot disorder due to incomplete verification of the Veteran's periods of active-duty service.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for a thoracolumbar spine disability prior to November 12, 2014.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for a lower back condition to obtain additional evidence and a new medical opinion.

The Board remands the service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, back condition, peripheral neuropathy (hands), traumatic brain injury (TBI), and respiratory issues, as well as the nonservice-connected pension benefits claim, due to an inadequate statement of reasons and bases in its January 2024 decision.

The Board remands the case to obtain new VA opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD and lumbar spine degenerative joint disease caused or contributed to his death.

The Board remands the claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain with intervertebral disc syndrome due to an inadequate VA examination.